Also flying the flag for the county ladies were Tanya Bardsley, attending in a matching blue velvet ensemble with her Stoke City footballer husband Phil Bardsley, while fellow WAG Leanne Brown headed along in a gold brocade mini-dress teamed with kinky boots.

The Real Housewives ladies were among a host of stars connected to ITV programmes invited along to the glittering black tie event at the London Palladium.

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That included former Corrie star Michelle Keegan wearing a business-like houndtooth checked black and white suit.

Michelle Keegan attending the ITV Gala at the London Palladium

Michelle will soon be seen in a new ITV drama, Tina and Bobby, charting the love story of England footballing hero Bobby Moore and his wife Tina.

Other stars heading along to ITV’s big night included Mossley-raised TV presenter Melanie Sykes in a sophisticated black dress, the contestants on this year’s X Factor, TOWIE’s Chloe Sims and Danielle Armstrong and glamour girl Katie Price with a very public display of affection on the red carpet with her hubby Kieran Hayler.